WHERE ARE WE?We’re in the heart of the Alps, for a time trial that skirts the shores of Lac de Serre Ponçon, east of Gap. The start and finish towns are both summer and winter sports centres.

WHAT’S ON THE ROUTE?The Tour organisers claim that this is a climbers’ time trial. The riders will ride up into the hills above the north side of the lake, with several significant undulations.

It’s a key stage – a tough, hilly time trial, the day before the race climbs Alpe d’Huez. There can be no holding back, even though the contenders will need all their energies for the three days of Alpine climbs to come.

WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN?The route is a finely balanced one. It’s probably asking too much for Tony Martin to prosper, but that depends on how much work he’s done chasing breaks for Cavendish. The Grenoble time trial that he won in 2011 had a significant climb in it, but this route most suits Chris Froome and Alberto Contador.